Norris Back Basin — Attraction in West Yellowstone

The Back Basin offers a nice contrast to the open and bright basin seen through the stone gateway and interpretive building. The boardwalk is slightly longer than the other option at Norris and wanders through a more intimate and shaded experience. Geysers, colorful pools, hissing vents are located here. Norris is a dynamic thermal area and geysers are not necessarily predictable. It you have not been here for a long time, then some features may have changed. Steamboat, the tallest geyser in the park is erupting more than in the last several decades, and while you are not likely to see a full eruption, it now entertains with shorter regular spurts and gurgles. I visit the park often and find myself turning left at the trail junction and heading to the Back Basin most often. In recent years parking has become a problem because of the park's popularity. The park service has finally provided overflow parking along the main roads at...

If you’re ever trying to lay low from a few overzealous federal agents (who clearly have the wrong guy), Norris Geyser Basin is the place to be. Feels like you’re not even on Earth—more like Mars, if Mars had boiling acid pools, steam vents that hiss like angry snakes, and a sulfur scent strong enough to wipe your fingerprints clean.

I wandered the boardwalks like a ghost with a backpack, soaking in the alien beauty and scanning the horizon for black SUVs. The ground literally bubbles and hisses beneath you—makes it hard to tell if it’s geothermal activity or a tracking drone malfunctioning nearby. Either way, it’s stunning.

Pro tip: The steam makes for great cover, and the constant gurgling sounds are perfect for masking heavy breathing after a sprint through the parking lot.

Come for the geysers. Stay because your fake ID says you’re “Brent Wafflehouse.” Five stars. Will return if...

So close to witnessing the largest geyser in the world Steamboat! Saw quite a few minor eruptions while we were there. There were a lot of people all hoping for a great show unfortunately none of us saw it that day. We spent about an hour waiting and hoping. There were a few in the crowd that had been waiting there for days. Some were old timers that witnessed the event in the 90s and even an older gentleman that witnessed the event in the 40s. All were hoping to see something amazing that day. Norris is a great place to visit and hike. Much of the basin trails are easy to hike around mostly flat with a few slopes. A lot of ground to cover if your looking for a way to spend some time. One of my favorite little geysers is located there which is super predictable called Vixen, just wait a few minutes and you'll see a little fountain erupt about 3 or 4...